Eckert's Tips on Making Good Events Great

Jane Eckert, a national speaker, author and agritourism expert, is principal of Eckert AgriMarketing (www.eckertagrimarketing.com), a firm that helps farmers sell products directly to consumers and develop their operations into tourist destinations authored an article entitled, "Making the Good Event--Great". The article has lots of tips that are useful to all agritourism business owners. Read the entire article by clicking here

Teddy's Bearfest in Tallulah

Beekeepers and Farmers

Pollination services provided by honeybees are important for producers of vegetables, fruit, nuts, flowers, grasses and other plants that feed wildlife, livestock and people.

According to the 2013 Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, in 2013 an estimated 325 beekeepers produced 1.8 million pounds of honey. That’s up from 322 beekeepers who produced 1.5 million pounds in 2012. The number of hives during that period also increased from 21,443 to 22,628. 

The total value of honey production for 2013 was $4.3 million, up from $3.7 million in 2012.    

Stone Barns Using Apps to Navigate Visitors

Reprinted from Stone Barns website:

“In the spirit of blending agricultural tradition and modern innovation, explore the farm with the interactive, family-friendly Stone Barns Center app.

Take a self-guided tour, independently explore, play a farm-trivia game, share recipes with friends and more! The Stone Barns app is filled with dynamic updates--text, photos and audio--straight from farmers and staff. Use the map to see where the animals are located and learn about each of our breeds. Get up-to-date information about what's growing and going on at the Center.

Click here to downlaod the app form the iTunes store.”

September Edition of Louisiana Agritourism Connection Now Available online

The Louisiana Agritourism Connection September 2014  a quarterly e-newsletter providing information on how to start, grow or sustain your agritourism venture is now available on the LSU AgCenter's Agritourism website. This edition includes information on  the agritourism limited liability law, workshops around the state and information on the newly revised cottage industry law.

Why do people travel to rural areas?

Why are people traveling to rural places?

70% enjoy dining

58% enjoy shopping 

44% enjoy water activities

41% enjoy visiting historical sites

32% enjoy fishing/hunting/boating

29% enjoy attended fairs and festivals

24% enjoy bike riding and hiking

23% enjoy religious service

21% enjoy camping

18% enjoy sporting events

15% enjoy visiting a winery, farm or orchard

Source:  2001 Rural Tourism Travel Poll conducted by TIAA.

Changes to Louisiana's Cottage Food Law Can Increase Opportunities for Agritourism Operators

Louisiana’s cottage food law Act 542 was amended by House Bill 1270 in the regular session of the Louisiana Legislature in 2014. It allows “low-risk foods” to be sold. Those foods include all of the following, none of which

shall consist of any animal muscle protein or fish protein: baked goods (breads, cakes, cookies, and pies); candies, dried mixes; honey and honeycomb products; jams, jellies and preserves; pickles and acidified foods; sauces and syrups; and spices.

A label must be affixed to the food products that clearly states that the food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility.  No person can sell food unless they have applied for or have been issued all of the following: (a) a Louisiana General Sales Tax Certificate from the Louisiana Department of Revenue and (b) a local sales tax certificate from the local taxing authority of any jurisdiction in which the seller intends to sell foods. The sales limit has increased to $20,000.

These are just a few of the rules; read the entire law to learn more. To read the new law, click here.